Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Mediation
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"Alright, shall we get moving?"
Thanks to the system's interference, I'd unwittingly become the seeker in this game of hide-and-seek.
"I'll wrap up this raid quick and head back to the tent to rest~"
I was about to chase after the enemy by partially enlarging my lower body with 【Partial Gigantification】 when yet another annoying guest barged in front of me.
It was the Tower System.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Emergency! The Tower System requests mediation from Summoner Kim Joo-hyuk!] [Emergency! The Tower System requests mediation from Summoner Kim Joo-hyuk!] The message windows that had been blinking away in the corner of my vision now blocked the center entirely, flaunting their presence.
The flashing red warning lights were so dazzling that even my good eye ached.
"Ugh. I'm not buying. Not buying."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Emergency! The Tower System requests mediation from Summoner Kim Joo-hyuk!] [Emergency! The Tower System requests mediation from Summoner Kim Joo-hyuk!] Even after repeatedly declining, the windows didn't vanish—instead, they grew larger. I furrowed my brow.
"Hah, seriously. They're so annoying I can't even see straight. What the hell do you want to say that's got you acting this desperate?"
Irritation boiled up to the top of my head, but curiosity crept in too. What kind of face was this arrogant, biased machine lump going to show me while requesting 'mediation'? At this point, I was dying to know what card it was about to play.
"Fine, let's hear it. See what bullshit you're gonna spout."
The moment I gave my consent, the frantically blinking message windows vanished. In their place, a new invitation message appeared.
The tone was far more polite than the previous warnings, almost like a proper proposal.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [Will you accept the Tower System's invitation?] [Upon acceptance, time in the outside world will be slowed to 1/1,000,000th of a second. Summoner Kim Joo-hyuk may exit at any time if desired, and all hostile actions are prohibited during mediation.] I carefully read the invitation message. The conditions weren't bad. No, they were overwhelmingly in my favor.
A space where time was essentially frozen. The option to escape anytime. And complete safety guaranteed.
This was proof of how desperate the Tower System was. Worst case, I'd lose nothing.
I pondered for a moment before finally accepting the invitation.
'If it's a shitty deal, I'll just bail.'
The instant I signaled acceptance, the world froze right there.
The wind that had been whipping at my ears moments ago. The faint screams of survivors in the distance. Even the clouds overhead—they all halted like a video with the pause button hit.
Now, I was the only one in this world who could move freely. As a test, I flicked a spent cartridge shell off the ground with my finger.
It shot upward for a moment before freezing in midair.
'Whoa.'
To be precise, it was slowed to 1/1,000,000th of a second, creating the illusion.
I stood there, taking in the surreal scene before me for a bit.
The glimpse of power the Tower System displayed was truly awe-inspiring. Hell, calling it a mere system was underselling it—it was practically divine.
'But with this insane power, the best it can do to handle the situation is something like this?'
Instead of admiration, my suspicions solidified. This thing couldn't harm me directly.
If I were the Tower System, I wouldn't 'sanction' the summoner—I'd throw every tool at my disposal to crush them outright.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [In a moment, you will be moved to the mediation area.] Soon, a brilliant light enveloped my body. When I opened my eyes again, I was in a space lined with a dizzying number of monitors.
*
Each monitor showed summoners of various races. Their locations varied wildly—some were even in bedrooms, mid-sex.
'Whoa, what's with that woman's body? South American? But that guy's packing way too little.'
I'd barely glanced at the monitors when pure white light began gathering in the air. The light particles intertwined and condensed, forming a simple text box.
「Summoner Kim Joo-hyuk. First, thank you for responding to our mediation request.」 "Skip the thanks. Get to the point."
「The reason we requested mediation from Summoner Kim Joo-hyuk is simple. To halt the indiscriminate killing causing excessive chaos in the Tower ecosystem.」 "What the fuck? You think I did this because I wanted to?"
「We understand Summoner Kim Joo-hyuk's anger. We also regret the damage caused by the unwanted quest. However, please note that the 'Kim Joo-hyuk Raid' quest was not issued by me, but the result of a unilateral action by Tower 1st Floor Administrator Pellios.」 "Hah, is that so? But you're the one who ultimately approved it, right?"
「The request from Tower 1st Floor Administrator Demon Pellios was 'justified.' The emergency protocol has been designed to counter external threats to the Tower and has been activated only twice so far, including on Earth #010009.」 "So it's my fault? Fuck, you invite me here just to say, 'Yeah, it's all your fault'? That right?"
「What I mean is that no one can be held responsible for this incident. That said, separately from that, we fully understand Summoner Kim Joo-hyuk's displeasure. Thus, we have prepared modest compensation.」 "Fuck, you think I came here for some lousy compensation...?"
「There are currently 72 surviving summoners. If you cease hostile actions immediately, we promise 10,000pt per surviving summoner on the field as compensation.」 "You know, on second thought, murder is a bad thing."
Too many points to pass up!
「……」 "But that's still not quite enough."
「Summoner Kim Joo-hyuk is too greedy. However, given the circumstances, we'll overlook it this once.」 "Good. Now we're talking. First off, I need compensation for material and mental damages."
「We understand the material damages. But what are the mental damages?」 Finally, the moment had arrived.
"I'm really suffering here."
「The Tower System requires a more detailed explanation of the mental damages.」 "I'm suffering mentally. Look at all those guts spilling out and blood spraying everywhere. It's fucking nauseating. I might get trauma from this. You know, like PTSD. Isn't it too much to subject a normal guy like me to this shit?"
I tried playing the emotional card against the Tower System.
「The mental damages in question are a result of Summoner Kim Joo-hyuk's actions. This is not the system's responsibility. Furthermore, mental evaluation shows Kim Joo-hyuk's mental state as 'normal.'」 "What? You little... Hey, this wouldn't have happened if you hadn't set up this fucked-up raid!"
「Analyzing... Some logical validity confirmed in Summoner Kim Joo-hyuk's claim. For a peaceful resolution to the current situation, the Tower System is willing to readjust the compensation. Please propose your desired compensation.」 "First, remove all cooldowns on my abilities. Why the hell are you blocking me from using my own powers? And no more unfair restrictions like that in the future, got it."
「Understood. In exchange, we would appreciate an explanation of how you acquired abilities on a powerless Earth.」 "Uh, I was just born awesome. One day, enlightenment hit me outta nowhere. Like a divine revelation."
「……」 "Mad? Deal with it."
「...Request accepted. There will be no direct sanctions on Summoner Kim Joo-hyuk's abilities in the future. However, there is a condition. If Summoner Kim Joo-hyuk uses 'modern firearms' going forward, you will incur severe penalties. This is for the Tower's ecosystem. If you do not accept, Summoner Kim Joo-hyuk will be permanently expelled from the Tower.」 The Tower System's message was utterly firm.
'Hmm. Time to take a step back here.'
I didn't want to lose both rabbits by greedily chasing two. Besides, I'd already caught one.
'No point pissing off the system and losing access to the Tower honey pot.'
⚔ STATUS ⚔ [As compensation for material and mental damages, Summoner Kim Joo-hyuk has agreed to a contract allowing free use of 'abilities' in exchange for severe penalties when using 'modern firearms' inside the Tower.] ⚔ STATUS ⚔ [As compensation for the Kim Joo-hyuk Raid quest, Summoner Kim Joo-hyuk will receive the following rewards:] 1. 10,000pt per survivor. (Current survivors: 72, Total: 720,000pt)
2. Authority to end the 'Kim Joo-hyuk Raid' quest at will. (Quest auto-ends at 5 AM next day)
3. Choose one of the following special rewards.
<Special Reward List>
1. Job Enhancement Ticket
> Description: Enhances a job's rank by '1'. Can be transferred or sold to others.
2. Skill Enhancement Ticket x3
> Description: Enhances a random skill. Can be transferred or sold to others.
3. Additional Job Slot
> Description: Unlocks an additional job slot. Cannot be transferred or sold.